Sherlock and Watson, together in 1706

Happened across this odd coincidence -- In a story by Daniel De Foe, "True Relation of the Apparition of One Mrs. Veal" published in 1706, there is mention of a book (no title given) written by a 'Dr. Sherlock,' and a principal character of the story is 'Captain Watson.' As the story is otherwise unremarkable to modern eyes, I felt the Universe was playing a little prank on us. I wouldn't be surprised to see this archetypal pair turn up in a Mayan Codex or Hittite cuneiform tablet, has anyone looked?